Condensation drainer



March 6, 1934. R. F. CHEVALIER I CONDENSATION DRAINER Original Filed Oczcf 10 1925 PIE- E vvk/vree Roger E (Viera/fer n T TORNE Y.

R. F. CHEVALIER CONDENSATION DRAINER 'March 6, 1934.

Original Filed Oct. 10. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lm lumHrmu /N vE/v Toe Roger F.' @//eva/f'er Patented Mar. 6, 1934 1,950.22i coNnENsA'rIoN DRAINEB Roger F. Chevalier, San

ville, Ohio, a corporat Application October Francisco, Calif., assigner to The Coe Manufact uring Company, Painesion ot Ohio 1925, Serial No. 61,864

Renewed October 17, 1933 ze claims. (c1. 137-103) My invention relates to de condensate from vapor syste densation water from steam lines and other steam equipment. The generally broad object of the invention is to provide such a device, the functioning of which depends upon the operation of physical laws relating to the behavior of gases under pressure and the generation of steam so that no moving parts are required. Another object is the provision of a condensation drainer in which the passages are open and clear when the steam is turned into the line, resulting in the expulsion of air, non-condensible vapors and water without the possibility of air binding or blocking of the operation of the device. Another object is the provision of a condensation drainer without moving parts which is readily installed, and which requires little or no attention after installation, except the occasional blowing out of the sedimentary deposit. Another object is the provision of a condensation drainer which is .reliable and continuous in its operation and economical in the amount of steam permitted to pass through it.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a condensation drainer of the type mentioned above, and embodying means for visibly indicating the status of operation of the device.

Other objects of the invention together with the foregong will be set forth and will appear in the following description of my preferred embodiment of means for practicing the invention and which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said description and drawings as I may adopt variations of my preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims. The device and method have been employed with success on water removal from steam'lines and steam equipment and the invention .is therefore described lwith particular reference to this use.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a steam condensation drainer embodying my invention. The plane of section is indicated by the line 1 1 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a horizontal drainer, the plane of secti the line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is an elevation showing my condensation drainer installed in a steam line used for heating the contents of a tank.

Figure 4 is an elevation in section o1' a convices for removing sectional view of my 5 on being indicated by particularly con-I densation drainer embodying my invention and in which part of the equipment drained functions as a receiving chamber.

In terms of broad inclusion my steam condensation drainer comprises a metallic body or block, embodying several chambers connected in series by restricted passages. the capacity of which is regulated to operatively harmonize the pressures in the chambers with the initial steam pressure. 'I'he parts are so formed that each of 66 these passages is normally closed to the passage of steam by a liquid seal, formed from the collecting condensate. The operation of the drainer depends on the pressures in the various chambers and these pressures are harmonized by a proper proportioning of the passages connecting the chambers.

More particularly my steam condensation drainer comprises a metallic block or body 2, conveniently of rectangular form, as shown. While I have shown the body 2 in the form of a solid block of metal, a single unitary structure, it is obvious that said body can be otherwise provided. Thus, instead of using a cast structure for the body, it can be otherwise provided and I have successfully used ordinary pipe fittings to provide the body or vessel 2 as Well as other ttings. It is therefore to be understood that the term block" is generally generic in scope and includes means suitable to the yend of providing the structure necessary to the support of the various orifices and the relation o f the various chambers whether said means be a single casting, an assembly of ordinary pipe fittings, or a specially fabricated structure. The block is formed with a plurality of chambers, which for convenience may be called the receiving chamber 3, the evaporating chamber 4, and the discharge chamber 6. The chamber 4 may also be referred to as an expansion chamber. Extending upwardly from the bottom of the receiving chamber 3 is a branch 7 thereof, divided from the receiving chamber in their upper portions by the ange or wall 8.

A threaded opening in the wall 9 lying between the passage 7 and the chamber 4 is filled by a disk 10, having the aperture 1l therethru. Similarly a threaded aperture in the wall 12 between the evaporation chamber and the discharge chamber is filled by a tube 13, the passage 14 in which, has a. very definite relation to the aperture 11 in the disk 10. Both of these passages are in turn related to the controlling characteristics of pressure and temperature of the steam from which the condensate is being drained.

A threaded opening 16 in one side of the block permits connection on that side to the steam line 17 which, by way of example, passes in suitable coils 18, thru a tank 19 for the purpose of heating the contents thereof. The incoming vsteam line is controlled by the valve 21 and a valve 22 is interposed between the tank coils and my drainer in accordance with the usual practice. It will of course be understood that my condensation drainer is applicable to any steam equipment, the installation with the tank 19 being merely illustrative. Atv the other side of the drainer block, the threaded aperture 23 permits connection to the discharge line 24 in which is also included the check valve 26 and the valve 27. This discharge line maybe connected to waste, to boiler return trap, or to a hot water tank as the conditions and desires may dictate.

Threaded openings into the top and bottom of the receiving chamber 3 are also provided for the connection of a water-gauge 38. A waterlevel in the glass of the gauge shows that complete drainage is being attained.

A threaded aperture in the bottom of the receiving chamber 3 permits the connection of a drain pipe 29, controlled by the valve 31. The opening of this valve permits sediment accumulating in the bottom of the receiving chamber to be blown out. Attention to this detail from time to time, as local conditions ofthe water may require, is all the attention my condensation drainer requires.

The upper wall 32 of my drainer block is also provided with threaded openings normally closed by the plugs 33 and 34. These openings are for the purpose of allowing access to the apertured disk 10 and the tube 13 respectively and the term plug is used as meaning suitable closure means for the opening permitting access to the disc 10 or the tube 13. A threaded aperture in the bottom of chamber 4 is also normally closed by a plug 36, so that at rare intervals this chamber too may be blown out, to free it of any collected sediment.

It will be noted from the above that the condensate flowing into the receiving chamber 3, will collect therein, and because of the pressure of the steam on the upper surface of the water, it is forced up the passage '7 against the disk 10 and thru the aperture 11. Because of the downwardly projecting wall 8, the condensate in the chamber 3 and passage '7, forms a water seal over the aperture 11 so that no steam can blow thru the aperture 11 into the chamber 4, until the level of the condensate in the chamber 3 has dropped below the lower edge of the wall 8. The parts are so designed that this would rarely happen during normal operation of the device.

It will also be noted that the tube 13 opens in the lower part of the evaporating chamber 4, so that the body of condensate collecting in this chamber also forms a water seal about the tube to prevent the escape of steam from the evaporating chamber thru the tube until the level of the condensate in the chamber has fallen below the end of the tube.

It should also be observed that the passage 14 in the tube 13 in the form shown is materially greater in diameter than the aperture 11 thru the disk. However, the drainer will operate if the relationship of the diameters of these restricted passages is reversed or if the diameter of the tube is equal to the diameter of the aperture 11.

The size relation of these two passages to each other and to the steam pressure both in the steam line and in the successive chambers of thedrainer is very important.

If the temperature in the evaporating chamber is less than the boiling point corresponding to the pressure therein, there will be no reevaporation in this chamber, and. the condensate will discharge by reason of the pressure normally obtaining without the reevaporation. This however can only occur when the condensate is backed up in the pipes leading to the drainer, and suflicient heat is absorbed from the condensate to effect the cooling of the water. If this condition were a constant one, no condensation drainer would be necessary. The functioning of my condensation drainer is normally based upon the partial evaporation of hot water discharging under one pressure into a lower pressure. Under these conditions, a portion of the initial heat of the water is converted into latent heat, resulting in the conversion of some of the water into steam with a consequent rise in pressure. The amount of this evaporation depends upon the pressure drop.

Water of condensation from the steam line or equipment being drained enters the upper part of the receiving chamber 3, and collects in the bottom thereof. Under normal conditions of operation the receiving chamber contains steam and hot water at a temperature corresponding to the pressure in the steam line. With 'the accumulation of the condensate in the receiving chamber, the passage 7 is gradually filled so that the conditions are about as illustrated in Figure 1, the condensate rising, for example, to the line 41 in the chamber 3 and completely filling the passage '7. Condensate now begins to ow thru the aperture 11 into the upper part of the charnber4 and here a drop in both the pressure and the temperature takes place. This lowering of the pressure releases some of the initial heat in the water which becomes latent heat and eiects the evaporation of a portion of the hot water in the chamber 4. This is really a reevaporation since the water evaporated in the chamber was condensed from steam previously evaporated.

The chamber 4 now contains hot water, and steam formed from the evaporation of part of the water, due to the drop in pressure as the water passed from the receiving chamber 3 into the evaporating chamber 4. 'I'his water of condensation mixed with the steam in the evaporating chamber 4 is discharged thru the tube 13 into the discharge chamber 6. Of course the velocity and volume of iiuid passing thru a tube is controlled by the pressure on the fluid, and therefore the velocity and volume of the discharge thru the tube 13 is controlled by pressure in the chamber 4, this in turn being determined by the amount of reevaporation.

With an increase in pressure in the chamber 4, due to evaporation determined by the pressure drop, the velocity and hence the volume of the mixture of Water and steam passing thru the tube is increased. At the same time, the evaporation is retarded by the mounting pressure. Decrease in the amount of the evaporation and the lowering of the pressure by reason of the accelerated flow thru the tube, permits the evaporation and hence the pressure to again increase, whereupon the same cycle of mutually controlling factors is A= repeated. This action is a continuous one and is controlled by the flow of a mixture of water and steam thru the tube 13.

With the discharge of the water into the discharge chamber 6, a similar reevaporation occurs altho in a. more limited degree, the fluctuating pressure in the discharge chamber 6 influencing to a certain extent the conditions in the chamber 4. From the chamber 6, the condensate and the steam vapor of reevaporation, flow thru the line 24 to be disposed of as conditions may require.

I now believe that the theory of operation of the steam condensation drainer may be explained as follows:

In chamber 4, the quantity of hot water'discharged from aperture 11 is received and allowed to accommodate itself to the expansive capacity of the chamber at a lower pressure than the hot water was under in chamber 3. Upon entry into chamber 4, the hot water immediately suffers a drop in pressure and a portion of it suddenly changes its state and re-evaporates into steam. The steam of re-evaporation becomes intimately mixed with the unevaporated portion of the hot water in the form of minute bubbles and the two substances fill the chamber in a state of agitation, their combined volume being enormous in comparison with the volume which the original quantity of the hot water had prior to its entry to chamber 4. One of the substances is in one molecular condition and the other in another, with their respective molecular velocities at variance. Importantly, the unevaporated portion of the hot water is in contact with the vapor of the re-evaporated portion, and the liquid and the vapor are of the same pressure and temperature.

The steam of re-evaporation and the unevaporated portion of the hot water in chamber 4 seek escape from the chamber through passage 14. Owing to the restricted area of passage 14, a pressure is set up in chamber 4 in proportion to the volume and nature of the substance or substances subjected to the resistance of passage 14 in flowing through it, the resistance being greater to a mixture of the gaseous iluid, steam, and the liquid fluid, water, than if either' were passing singularly through it. The increased pressure thus built up in chamber 4 results in an additional counterpressure in opposition to the pressure existing in chamber 3 and retards the flow of hot water entering through aperture 11 from chamber 3 to chamber 4 and, also, at the same time raises the pressure of the -mixed substances in chamber 4 above that at which they would be in equilibrium. This raise in pressure causes a portion of the steam of re-evaporatlon then remaining in chamber 4 to re-condense into hot water and thus become restored to its original state.

Upon the re-condensation of a portion of the steam of re-evaporation into hot water, the specic volume of the substances is greatly reduced and the proportion of water in the mixture largely increased. At the moment of re-condensation of steam of re-evaporation, the flow of the mixture through passage 14 accelerates because of the increased pressure in chamber 4. The increased acceleration of the flow through passage 14 results in momentarily decreasing the volume of the substances in chamber 4 and, at the same time, in diminishing the pressure, which causes additional molecules of the water therein to explode into steam. The mixture then has proportionally less water than steam and the frictional resistance of passage 14 is decreased, allowing the pressure in chamber 4 to rapidly reduce to a still lower point, and the expansion into steam of more molecules of water. This quick drop in pressure in chamber4 accelerates the discharge of more hot water through aperture 11. The particles of the hot water of the accelerated ow immediately evaporate into steam upo\n their entry into chamber 4 and this instantaneous expansion into steam o1' a part of the rew flow of hot water, together with the volume of the unevaporated portion of the new flow, increases the density of the contents of chamber 4 and gives additional momentum to the discharge of the contents of this chamber through passage 14 into chamber 6, the momentum increasing in effect to that of steadily mounting pressure on the ow through passage 14, and the increased density of the mixture intensifying the frictional resistance of the passage 14 to the ow. The pressure of the contents of chamber 4 is at the same time being gradually built up to a point suflicient to again establish retardation of the discharge of hot water into chamber 4 through aperture 11 and to again throw the contents of the chamber into a state of instability by raising the pressure to a point above that at which the liquid and its vapor would be in equilibrium, which instability causes re-condensation of the steam of reevap` oration to reoccur.

These occurrences and effects are spasmodic and of rapid reoccurrence. They are the results of variations in pressure, density and tem perature brought about in quick succession by the arrangement of the various chambers and parts of the device.

Re-evaporation of hot water into steam also occurs in chamber 6 due to the pressure therein being below that which the column of mixed steam and water is under while flowing through passage 14. Upon evacuation into chamber 6, the lower pressure Ain that chamber permits an additional part of the water to re-evaporate into steam. The eiect of this on retardation of the ow of the mixed substances through passage 14 depends largely on the conditions existing in the discharge pipe leading from outlet 24.

Reverting now to the water-gauge 38, which is a very important feature of my invention, and which is referred to above as being connected into the-receiving chamber 3, it will be noted from Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings that the upper end of this gauge is connected into the receiving chamber at a point in proximity to the inlet pipe 17 or, in other words, at a relatively `high point of the chamber and that the lower end of thegauge is connected into the receiving chamber at a point in proximity to the drain pipe 29 or,

in other words, at a relatively low point of the chamber. It is not of special importancev that the ends of the water gauge be connected into the chamber 3 at points near the pipes 17 and 29,

as they happen to bein lthis instance, but it is important that the ends of the water gauge be connected into the receiving chamber at relatively high and low points so that these connections will ordinarily lie, respectively, above and below the water level 41 which is' indicated in Fig. 1. During the operation of my condensation drainer, as explained above, spasmodic and rapidly recurring changes are produced in the condition of the fluid in chamber 4 are the results of variations in and temperature brought about pressure, density in quick succession by the arrangement of the various chambers f and parts of my device. One of the effects of the occurrences in chamber 4 is that of variation in differential of pressures between 4the inlet and the outlet of orice 11. The rapidly changing and these changes' differential pressures thus occasioned create a pulsating effect on the contents of the device. The pulsations are transmitted to the hot condensate in chamber 3 and passage 7 thereof, and manifest themselves by causing quick changes in the water level 41 in chamber 3, where the water seal is obtained, and are visualized by rapid minor movements or a bobbing up and down of the water level in the glass of water gauge 38 (Fig. 3) connected to chamber 3.

So long as the condensation drainer continues to function in the proper manner and under proper conditions of load the water level in the gauge glass will pulsate or bob up and down within limits which are relatively close to a desired normal operating level. If condensate is being supplied to the drainer at a rate which is too high to be readily accommodated by the device, the condensate will accumulate in chamber 3 causing water level 41, and the corresponding water level in the gauge glass, to rise abnormally high. Conversely, if condensate is being supplied at a rate which is materially below the rate corresponding with the rated capacity of the device, the water level in chamber 3 and in the gauge glass will fall to an abnormally low point.

As shown in the drawings, the gauge glass is on the outside of the drainer and can therefore be readily seen by anyone interested in checking up on the perfomance of the device.. By simply glancing at the water glass one is advised instantly, first, as to whether or not the device is functioning, this being indicated by the presence orabsence of the above mentioned bobbing action of the water level, and, secondly, as to whether or not the device is operating satisfactorily. If the device is vknown to be functioning, because of the presence of the bobbing action, but the water level stands high in the gauge glass, the observer is apprised of the fact that condensate is being supplied at a faster rate than it can be disposed of by the drainer and if the water level in the glass remains higher than normal it may be taken as an` indication that the plug l0 should be replaced by a similar plug having a larger orifice or that a drainer of larger capacity is needed for the particular service under consideration. If the water level is low in the gauge glass, the observer is apprised of the fact that condensate is being supplied at a slower rate than could be disposed of by the drainer and if the low water level continues it may be taken as an indication that a smaller orifice should be used or that a drainer of smaller capacity should be substituted.

While in the foregoing I have spoken of Water, it is obvious that the invention is applicable to other fluids used in thermodynamic cycles. Also, while I have spoken of water of condensation, this term, and the term condensate as well, is used as referring to a liquid then and there formed by condensation from its vapor as well as to liquids which are not formed then and there from vapor but which exist in liquid form in the s system. For example, the term condensate re- Iers to liquid formed upon the cooling of steam as well as to water carried as such in wet steam and which in fact, under the conditions under which wet steam is formed, may never have been vapor in that particular system.

The term low pressure system refers to direct atmospheric outlets as well as to outlets or discharges into vessels, tanks or hot wells under a pressure less than that of the system from which the condensate is taken.

The apertured disk 10 and the tube 13, are readily replaceable units, preferably made of erosion-resisting material. Dierent sizes of these units are incorporated in the drainer block in accordance with the capacity which is required in a given installation.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing that it is feasible in some cases to so arrange the drainer that a portion of the equipment to be drained serves as a receiving chamber. For example, in Figure 4 I have shown a steam heated kettle in which the steam chamber'41 and space 42 within the nipple 43, functions as the receiving chamber. A disk 44 having the aperture 46 therethru provides the restricted passage into the expansion chamber 47, and a tube having a restricted passage 48 therethru permits the discharge of the condensate.

. Iclaim:

1. A condensation drainer comprising al branched receiving chamber adapted for connection of one branch into a vapor line to be drained, an evaporating chamber, a restricted passage connecting the evaporating chamber to the other branch of the receiving chamber, and 1 a discharge passage connected into the evaporating chamber.

2. A condensation drainer comprising a branched receiving chamber adapted for connection of one branch into a vapor line to be drained, an evaporating chamber, a restricted passage connecting the evaporating chamber to the other branch of the receiving chamber, and a discharge passage opening into the evaporating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof.

3. A condensation drainer comprising a receiving chamber branching upwardly from the bottom to permit the formation of a liquid seal between the branches thereof, means for connecting the upper part of one of said branches into a vapor line to be drained, an evaporatingchamber, a restricted passage connecting the evaporating chamber to the upper part of the other branch, and a discharge passage connected into the evaporating chamber.

4. A condensation drainer comprising a block having a receiving chamber and an evaporating chamber, a wall dividing the receiving chamber into two branches joined at the lower ends, means for connecting one of said branches into a vapor line to be drained, an apertured plug interposed between the other branch and the evaporating chamber, and means for permitting the discharge of condensate from said evaporating chamber.

5. A condensation drainer comprising a block having a receiving chamber and an evaporating chamber and a discharge chamber, a wall dividing the receiving chamber into two branches joined at the lower ends, means for connecting one of said branches into a vapor line to be drained, an apertured plug interposed between the other branch and the evaporating chamber, and a tube opening in the lower part of the evaporation chamber for connecting the evaporation chamber to the discharge chamber. 1 6. A condensation drainer comprising a block having a receiving chamber and an evaporating chamber and a discharge chamber, a wall dividing the receiving chamber into two branches joined at the lower end, means for connecting one of said branches into a vapor line to be drained, means for connecting the discharge chamber to a liquid receiver, an apertured plug interposed between the other branch and the evaporating chamber, and a tube opening in the 1 lower part of the evaporation chamber interposed between the evaporation chamber and the discharge chamber.

'LA condensation drainer comprising a branched receiving chamber adapted i'or conborre, constituting nection of one branch into a vapor line to be drained, an evaporating chamber, a restricted passage connecting the evaporating chamber to the other branch of the receiving chamber, means for permitting the condensate to discharge from the evaporating chamber, and means for permitting the discharge of sediment from the receiving chamber.

` 8. A condensation drainer comprising a branched receiving chamber, an evaporating chamber, a restricted passage connecting the receiving chamber with the evaporating chamber, and a discharge passage of greater capacity than said restricted passage opening out of said evaporating chamber.

9. A condensation drainer comprising a block having a receiving chamber, an evaporating chamber and a discharge chamber, a passage between the evaporating and the receiving chamber, a passage between the evaporating and the discharge chamber, and plugs in said block in alinement with said passages.

10. A condensation drainer, comprising a chamber for collecting condensate, an evaporating chamber, means aiording restricted communication between said chambers, and a tube arranged Awithin the evaporating chamber and extending throughout the major portion of the length of the same, said tube having a restricted the outlet for the evaporating chamber.

l1. A condensation drainer comprising a condensate receiving chamber, `an evaporating chamber, means having a relatively short restricted port aiording communication between said chambers, a tube leading into the evaporating chamber and having a restricted bore constituting the outlet for the evaporating chamber, the bore orf the tube being considerably longer than said port.

12. 'I'he method of separating condensate from a vapor as steam, comprising collecting the con densate as such in a collecting chamber having inlet and outlet branches in communication at their lower ends, and causing the condensate to form a liquid seal, passing the condensate substantially as such through restricted passage from the outlet branch into an evaporating chamber within which the pressure is less than the pressure upon the condensate, whereby evaporation of said condensate and re-condensation of the vapors take place, in part, and passing the resultant mixture from the evaporating chamber in a regulated manner.

13. The method of separating the condensate from a vapor as steam, comprising collecting the condensate substantially as such in a receiving chamber having upwardly extending inlet and outlet compartments which are in communication at their bottom, utilizing the entering condensate to form a liquid seal between the compartments, passing the condensate substantially as such through a restricted passage from the outlet compartment into an evaporating chamber having a pressure less than the pressure upon the'condensate, whereby re-evaporation of said condensate and re-condensation of the vapors take place, in part, and passing the resultant mixture from the evaporated chamber in a regulated manner.

14. 'I'he method of separating condensate from a vapor as steam, comprising collecting the condensate under normal vapor line pressure and holding the same in a receiving chamber having upwardly projecting inlet and outlet compartments communicating at their lower ends in such a manner that a liquid seal is produced at the bottom of the compartments, passing the condensate substantially as such from the outlet compartment through a restricted passage into an evaporating chamber, having a pressure therein substantially less than the pressure upon the condensate within the receiving chamber, whereby re-evaporation of said condensate and re-condensation of the vapors take place, in part, and passing the resultant mixture from the evaporating chamber and through a restricted passage.

15. .A condensation drainer, comprising a receiving chamber having upwardly extending inlet and outlet compartments which are in communication at their bottom in a manner whereby the condensate produces a liquid seal, an evaporating chamber, restricted means of communication between the outlet compartment of the receiving chamber and the evaporating chamber, and means providing a restricted outlet for the evaporating chamber.

16. A condensation drainer comprising a re-v ceiving chamber having upstanding inlet and outlet compartments in communication near their bottom, the arrangement being such that a liquid seal is afforded by the condensate, means to supply the condensate to the upper portion of the inlet compartment, an evaporating chamber, and restricted means of communication between the upper end of' the outlet compartment and the evaporatingchamber, the arrangement being such that the pressure upon the condensate serves to force the same through the restricted means of communication, and means providing a restricted outlet for the evaporating chamber.

17. Avcondensation drainer, comprising an intake chamber having means for introducing therein vapor and condensate, means for providing aliquid seal within the chamber by utilizing the condensate for this purpose, an evaporating chamber, restricted means of communication between the evaporating chamber and the intake chamber, said restricted means of communication being arranged above the eilective portion of the liquid seal, and means for providing a restricted outlet for the evaporating chamber.

18. A condensation drainer, comprising a condensate receiving chamber, an evaporating chamber, means to supply condensate to the condensate receiving chamber, means whereby the condensate affords a liquid seal in the vcondensate receiving chamber, said chambers having a restricted passage connecting them, said restricted passage leading into the upper portion of the condensate receiving chamber, the liquid seal being disposed between the condensate supplying means and the restricted passage, and means affording a restricted outlet for the evaporating chamber.

19. In a process of draining condensate to a low pressure, from a vapor system under a higher pressure, without substantially any loss of vapor as such from said higher pressure system, the steps comprising collecting substantially al1 said condensate to provide a body of said condensate substantially under said higher preslll said withdrawn portion to flash reevaporations to preserve a back pressure on said maintained body of condensate and pass said withdrawn portion to said low pressure.

20. The method of draining condensate from a higher pressure vapor system to a lower pressure comprising continuously collecting substantially all said condensate to provide a body of condensate substantially under said higher pressure, repeatedly withdrawing a portion o! said body and subjecting each of said withdrawn portions of said condensate to successive pressure decreases and flash reevaporations to pass said portion on until said lower pressure is attained.

21. The method of providing a drainage out of a higher pressure vapor system,.to a lower pressure system, without loss substantially of vapor as such, or of said high pressure, which comprises collecting substantially all said condensate and interposing collected condensate between said pressure systems to preserve substantially said high pressure, and withdrawing a. portion of said interposed condensate and subjecting said withdrawn portion of condensate to flash reevaporation to create a back pressure on said interposed condensate and force said withdrawn portion on to said lower pressure system.

22. In combination, a condensation drainer having a restricted passage through which condensate is forced with a. pulsating flow by the vapor pressure, and indicating means having operative connection with said drainer and responsive to said pulsating flow for visibly indicating l the status of operation of the drainer.

23. In combination, a condensation drainer having a restricted passage through which condensate is forced with a pulsating iiow by the vapor pressure, and a gauge glass operatively connected to said drainer such that the indicating level of the gauge glass responds to the pulsating ow of condensate through said restricted passage for indicating the status of operation of the drainer.

24. A condensation drainer comprising'a receiving chamber, an expansion chamber, a restricted passage connecting said expansion chamber with said receiving chamber and through which condensate'is forced with a pulsating flow, and a gauge glass connected into said receiving chamber such that the liquid level of the gauge glass responds to the level of Acondensate in the liquid level of the gauge glass responds to the level of condensate in the receiving chamber and to the pulsating ilow of condensate through said restricted passage to thereby indicate the status of operation of the drainer.

26. A` condensation drainer comprising a branched receiving chamber adapted i'or connection of one branch into a vapor line to be drained, an evaporating chamber, a restricted passage connecting'the evaporating chamber to the other branch of the receiving chamber, a discharge passage connected into the evaporating chamber, and indicating meansohaving operative connectionwith said receiving chamber for visibly indicating the status of operation of the'drainer.

27. A -condensation drainer comprising a branched receiving chamber adapted for connection oi' one branch into a vapor line to be drained, an evaporating chamber, a restricted passage connecting the evaporating chamber to the other branch of the receiving chamber, a discharge passage connected into the evaporating chamber, and a gauge glass visibly indicating the status of operation of the drainer and having its ends operatively connected to said receiving chamber, one end being connected to the receiving chamber at a relatively low point thereof and the other. end being connected to said one branch.

28. A condensation drainer comprising a block having a receiving chamber and an expansion chamber, a wall dividing the receiving chamber into two branches joined at the lower ends, means for connecting one of said branches into a vapor line to be drained, means providing a restricted passage connecting the other of said branches and said expansion chamber, means providing for the discharge of condensate from said expansion chamber, and a gauge glass on said block and visible exteriorly thereof, one end of said gauge glass being connected into said receiving chamber adjacent its lower end and the other endv of the gauge glass being connected into said one branch.

29. A condensation drainer comprising a branched receiving chamber adapted for connection of one branch into a vapor line to be drained, an expansion chamber, a. restricted passage connecting the expansion chamber to -the other branch of the receiving chamber and providing 125 for a pulsating pressure discharge of condensate from the receiving chamber into the expansion chamber, an outlet passage connected into the expansion chamber, and a gauge glass operatively connected into the receiving chamber whereby '130 the condensate level in the glass responds to the condensate level in the receiving chamber and to the pulsating discharge of condensate into the expansion chamber to visibly indicate the status of operation of the drainer.

ROGER F. CHEVALIER. 

